Public may discuss ice rink tonight

Greeley City Council members will take public input tonight on plans for the proposed downtown ice center.

The council is in a sticky position with the $10 million center because estimates show it will cost more than originally expected.

The city is considering three options:

n Go over budget to build a center with two full NHL-size rinks. This option is controversial because the building design has an industrial-looking facade.

n Build a center with a smaller, studio-size rink and a NHL-size rink. Some worry this design still won’t leave enough money for a great faade.

n Build a center with a good looking faade, one NHL-size rink and room to build a second full-size rink when the money turns up.

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The ice rink was a centerpiece in Greeley’s voter-approved quality-of-life program and pre-election information said the center will include two sheets of ice.

The design architects developed a building that housed two full rinks but includes a faade that some likened to a big metal barn — not a look downtown supporters want for the center.

Downtown Development Authority members didn’t like the barnlike look that architects proposed.

DDA members say the rink needs to look great from the outside to draw people in and complement efforts to beautify Greeley’s historic commercial district.

The DDA wants the city council to scrap plans for two full-size rinks and build a center with one rink and a good-looking exterior.

The downtown ice rink has long been a source of controversy. There was much debate on whether it should be located downtown or with the new, west Greeley recreation center that is being planned.

And the debate over whether the center should have one rink or two is nothing new.

People who wanted two full rinks say that option will provide enough room for team ice sports and pleasure skaters.

But others have argued that one rink is the best option. That view is supported by a consultant’s report that shows a two-rink center would barely break even on operating costs. The one-rink center would make an estimated operating profit of about $100,000 a year, the consultant said.